UK Pension Scam

[joe cassidy]

I am retiring at the end of the month. I have spent most of my working life in France and so I am hoping to get a pension from the French government.

I did work in the UK for several years before moving to France but I am not expecting any pension from the UK government.

However, today I received an SMS from "DWP" - Department of Works & pensions ? - informing me that :

"We've processed your State Pension claim. We will send you a letter which will tell you everything you need to know. You do not need to contact us."

I assume that this is a scam and I can expect a letter asking for my bank account details.

Can any of you ex-pat pensioners on here confirm please ?

Thanks in advance.

Joe

[ntpntpntp]

Well, it's not asked you to click a link or phone a number so it might be legit.  Would DWP have your number to SMS it? See what the letter says if/when it arrives?

[Newportnobby]

As Nick says, unless they ask for personal details leave 'em to it. Even if it's a tenner a month it's a bottle or so of wine
It does make you wonder how they got your mobile number, though

[zwilnik]

As Nick says, unless they ask for personal details leave 'em to it. Even if it's a tenner a month it's a bottle or so of wine
It does make you wonder how they got your mobile number, though

My paranoia about scams makes me wonder if someone else has applied using your details hoping to redirect and cash in on your UK pension. Getting someone's details and mobile number is pretty easy nowadays unfortunately.

May be worth directly checking with DWP (I'm guessing the HMRC website has a relevant page) to double check it?

[joe cassidy]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

[Southerngooner]

Even if you only did a few years in UK employment and paid NI contributions you would be entitled to a state pension, maybe not of the full value though. Why would any scammer message you and then send a letter? Doesn't sound like their usual MO.....

Dave

[icairns]

Joe:

This sounds like a scam to me.  Do not respond.

I currently live in the USA and have a UK pension.  The UK pension organization typically only communicate by letter.

Also, I believe you actually have to apply to receive your pension.  It is not something that comes automatically. I think that you can defer taking your pension at your full retirement age ("State Pension Deferral") in order to get a larger amount when you actually apply (my wife did this a few years ago).

More information here:  https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/state-pension

You may want to contact the government pension people in the UK to clarify your situation.

Ian

[Firstone18]

The OP states:
"We've processed your State Pension claim. We will send you a letter which will tell you everything you need to know. You do not need to contact us."

The question I would ask is 'did I send a state pension claim to the DWP?
From my memory of this, it was up to me to claim my state pension following receiving a letter, not a text, from the DWP to my home address. My feeling is if you have not made a claim as the text states, then it is a scam. you could try contacting the DWP and talking to them. HTH.

[TeeCee]

Also if you are living overseas your contact should probably have been from these people. You can contact the International Pension Centre (IPC) by email, using the online enquiry form or these numbers.
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 218 7777
Textphone: +44 (0) 191 218 7280

In addition depending on your circumstances this number could be used.
If you were given PRESA under European Community regulations.
Telephone +44 (0) 191 206 9390

[dannyboy]

There is a Government website, (can not remember the details off hand, but will have a look later), where you can get an estimate of when and how much your pension would be. It also tells you when you can avail of a free bus pass!

Found it -
https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

[Stuart Down Under]

I didn't have to apply. After all, they know how old we all are and where we live. I received a similar letter back in the day.

I have also found them to be the most helpful of all government departments and if in doubt, just phone them. I have done so from Australia from time to time and they are always easy to talk to, and sort things out. I suppose that they are used to silly old duffers on the phone!
 

[Bealman]

I worked for 12 months in England before coming here, but when I asked about a pension, the answer, not surprisingly, was forget it.

[Malc-c]

From limited research every UK citizen is eligible for a state pension provided they make a minimum of 10 years NI contribution. However in order to qualify for the full amount said person needs to have contributed 45 years worth of NI credit.  For those that have contributed for more than 10 years but less than 45 the pension gets reduced, but then said person might be eligible to pension credit.   

But for those living abroad the "rules" are more complicated and is also varies based on the country you have lived and worked in... This is explained here https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/living-and-working-overseas

To the OP, I would simply telephone the help line that you will have on any legit letter form the tax office.  You can also set up a Government gateway and see any documentation sent to you for benefits / pensions etc.  That way you could see if the letter you received is legit

[chrism]

For those that have contributed for more than 10 years but less than 45 the pension gets reduced

No, it's only 35 qualifying years' contributions required to get a full new state pension now.

[joe cassidy]

I'm pleased to report that the SMS I received from DPW was not a scam.

I received my first payment yesterday